Browse publications by year: 2019

  1. Ong, C.R.E., Tang, T.K., Lee, Y.Y., Choong, T.S.Y., Lai, O.M., Kuan, C.H., et al.
    MyJurnal
    In the present work, the physicochemical properties namely fatty acid composition (FAC), iodine value (IV), acylglycerol content and thermal profiles of palm-based diacylglycerol (PDAG) in blend with soybean oil (SBO) at different concentrations (0-100 wt %) were evaluated. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra were determined at mid-infrared region to assign the functional groups. SBO exhibited the same absorption bands as PDAG except at wavelength of 1711, 1450, 1359, 850 and 779 cm-1. This phenomenon indicated that the absorption frequency of the binary mixtures greatly depended on the composition of oil samples. IV of the oil blends was found to decrease from 131.09 ± 0.88 I2/100 g to 51.55 ± 0.60 I2/100 g with increasing PDAG concentrations due to the reduced degree of unsaturation. Generally, binary blends with an increasing PDAG concentration showed a decrease in linoleic acid (C18:2) as well as increase in oleic acid (C18:1) and palmitic acid (C16:0) contents. The DAG content for all the blends increased from 5.15 ± 1.40% to 87.80 ± 0.33% and TAG content decreased from 94.85 ± 1.40% to 12.20 ± 0.33% in tandem with increasing PDAG content. Incorporation of PDAG into SBO significantly affected the crystallisation and melting profiles of SBO.
  2. Verma R, Bairy I, Tiwari M, Bhat GV, Shenoy GG
    Mol Divers, 2019 Aug;23(3):541-554.
    PMID: 30430400 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-018-9889-1
    A series of novel 2-amino-4-(3-hydroxy-4-phenoxyphenyl)-6-(4-substituted phenyl) nicotinonitriles were synthesized and evaluated against HepG2, A-549 and Vero cell lines. Compounds 3b (IC50 16.74 ± 0.45 µM) and 3p (IC50 10.57 ± 0.54 µM) were found to be the most active compounds against A-549 cell line among the evaluated compounds. Further 3b- and 3p-induced apoptosis was characterized by AO/EB (acridine orange/ethidium bromide) nuclear staining method and also by DNA fragmentation study. A decrease in cell viability and initiation of apoptosis was clearly evident through the morphological changes in the A-549 cells treated with 3b and 3p when stained with this method. Fragmentation of DNA into nucleosomes was observed which further confirmed the cell apoptosis in cells treated with compound 3b. Flow cytometry studies confirmed the cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase in A549 cells treated with compound 3b. Further in silico studies performed supported the in vitro anticancer activity of these compounds as depicted by dock score and binding energy values.
    MeSH terms: Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis*; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*; Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry; Cell Survival/drug effects; Computer Simulation*; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Humans; Models, Molecular; Phenyl Ethers/chemistry*; Pyridines/chemical synthesis*; Pyridines/pharmacology*; Pyridines/chemistry; Structure-Activity Relationship; Apoptosis/drug effects; Catalytic Domain; Cell Line, Tumor; Enoyl-(Acyl-Carrier-Protein) Reductase (NADH)/metabolism; Enoyl-(Acyl-Carrier-Protein) Reductase (NADH)/chemistry; G2 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects; M Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects; Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; A549 Cells
  3. Gan WY, Mohamed SF, Law LS
    PMID: 31382672 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16152785
    High consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) among adolescents has turned into a global concern due to its negative impact on health. This cross-sectional study determined the amount of SSB consumption among adolescents and its associated factors. A total of 421 adolescents aged 13.3 ± 1.3 years (41.8% males, 58.2% females) completed a self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, screen-viewing behavior, sleep quality, frequency of eating at fast food restaurants, home food availability, peer social pressure, parenting practice, and SSB consumption. Weight and height were measured. Results showed that the mean daily consumption of SSBs among adolescents was 1038.15 ± 725.55 mL. The most commonly consumed SSB was malted drink, while the least commonly consumed SSB was instant coffee. The multiple linear regression results revealed that younger age (β = -0.204, p < 0.001), higher physical activity (β = 0.125, p = 0.022), higher screen time (β = 0.147, p = 0.007), poorer sleep quality (β = 0.228, p < 0.001), and unhealthy home food availability (β = 0.118, p = 0.032) were associated with a higher SSB intake. Therefore, promoting a healthy lifestyle may help to reduce the excessive consumption of SSBs among adolescents.
    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Body Weights and Measures; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Life Style*; Male; Socioeconomic Factors; Exercise; Parenting; Sedentary Lifestyle
  4. Si H, Shi JG, Tang D, Wen S, Miao W, Duan K
    PMID: 31382712 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16152788
    Since the theory of planned behavior (TPB) was proposed by Ajzen in 1985, it has attracted extensive interest and been widely applied worldwide. Although an increasing number of studies have employed the TPB in the domain of environmental science, there have been no attempts to retrospectively analyze existing articles. The current study aimed to holistically understand the application status of the TPB in environmental science from a knowledge domain visualization perspective. A total of 531 journal articles were obtained through the Scopus database to perform a bibliometric analysis and content analysis. The results showed that waste management, green consumption, climate and environment, saving and conservation, and sustainable transportation are the primary research topics; the United States (U.S.), Mainland China, the United Kingdom (UK), and Malaysia are the most productive countries/regions. Moreover, the cross-disciplinary situations, main source journals, and key articles were revealed. Furthermore, the extended factors, integrated theories, major methods, specific groups, and control variables of environmental science research using the TPB were elaborated and integrated into a comprehensive application framework. Constructive criticisms were ultimately discussed. The findings contribute in several ways to help relevant researchers learn about the application of TPB to environmental science and provide new insights and holistic references for further research on environment-related behavior.
    MeSH terms: Female; Humans; Psychological Theory*; Retrospective Studies; Bibliometrics; Intention
  5. Khan AH, Sulaiman SAS, Laghari M, Hassali MA, Muttalif AR, Bhatti Z, et al.
    BMC Infect Dis, 2019 Aug 05;19(1):691.
    PMID: 31382889 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4312-9
    BACKGROUND: Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) represents about 14% of all cases of tuberculosis (TB) in Malaysia. The aims of the study include evaluation of socio-demographic factors, clinical manifestations, co-morbidities among patients with EPTB and their treatment outcomes.

    METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to recognize the epidemiology facts of EPTB. Individual data for EPTB patients were collected from TB registers, laboratory TB registers, treatment cards and TB medical personal files into a standardized study questionnaire. Crude (COR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were determined to assess the risk factors for EPTB and unsuccessful treatment outcomes.

    RESULTS: There were 1222 EPTB patients presenting 13.1% of all TB cases during 2006-2008. Pleural effusion and lymph node TB were the most frequent types and accounted for 45.1% of all EPTB cases among study participants. Treatment success rate was 67.6%. The best treatment completion rates were found in children ≤15 years (0.478 [0.231-1.028]; p = 0.05). On multivariate analysis, age group 56-65 years (1.658 [1.157-2.376]; p = 0.006), relapse cases (7.078 [1.585-31.613]; p = 0.010), EPTB-DM (1.773 [1.165-2.698]; p = 0.008), patients with no formal (2.266 [1.254-4.095]; p = 0.001) and secondary level of education (1.889 [1.085-3.288]; p = 0.025) were recorded as statistically positive significant risk factors for unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Patients at the risk of EPTB were more likely to be females (1.524 [1.311-1.746]; p 

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antitubercular Agents/therapeutic use; Child; Female; Humans; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Tuberculosis/drug therapy*; Tuberculosis/epidemiology*; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node/drug therapy; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node/epidemiology; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/drug therapy; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/epidemiology; Comorbidity; Multivariate Analysis; Odds Ratio; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
  6. Shanmugapriya, Vijayarathna S, Sasidharan S
    Microsc Microanal, 2019 10;25(5):1263-1272.
    PMID: 31383043 DOI: 10.1017/S1431927619014776
    Several microscopy methods have been developed to assess the morphological changes in cells in the investigations of the mode of cell death in response to a stimulus. Our recent finding on the treatment of the IC50 concentration (26.67 μg/mL) of Polyalthia longifolia leaf extract indicated the induction of apoptotic cell death via the regulation of miRNA in HeLa cells. Hence, the current study was conducted to validate the function of these downregulated microRNAs in P. longifolia-treated HeLa cells using microscopic approaches. These include scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI)-based fluorescent microscopy techniques by observing the morphological alterations to cells after transfection with mimic miRNA. Interestingly, the morphological changes observed in this study demonstrated the apoptotic hallmarks, for instance, cell blebbing, cell shrinkage, cytoplasmic and nuclear condensation, vacuolization, cytoplasmic extrusion, and the formation of apoptotic bodies, which proved the role of dysregulated miRNAs in apoptotic HeLa cell death after treatment with the P. longifolia leaf extract. Conclusively, the current study proved the crucial role of downregulated miR-484 and miR-221-5p in the induction of apoptotic cell death in P. longifolia-treated HeLa cells using three approaches-SEM, TEM, and AO/PI-based fluorescent microscope.
    MeSH terms: Epithelial Cells/cytology*; Epithelial Cells/drug effects*; HeLa Cells; Humans; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/methods; Microscopy, Fluorescence/methods; Plant Extracts/toxicity*; Down-Regulation*; Apoptosis/drug effects*; Plant Leaves/chemistry; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Polyalthia/chemistry*; MicroRNAs/analysis*; MicroRNAs/genetics; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/methods
  7. Shaw DJ, Rosanowski SM
    Vet J, 2019 Aug;250:24-27.
    PMID: 31383416 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.05.015
    Epiglottic entrapment is a condition in racing horses, associated with abnormal respiratory noises and exercise intolerance. Epiglottic entrapment has been linked to both poor and superior athletic performance, leading to concerns regarding whether surgery is indicated, and whether surgical correction may have a deleterious effect on future race performance. The objective of the current study was to assess the race-day performance of horses racing with epiglottic entrapment and the effect of surgical correction on performance outcomes using an intra-oral technique in anaesthetised horses. A case-control study was conducted at the Singapore Turf Club from 2008 to 2011. Controls were selected 1:1 to cases, based on Malaysian Racing Authority number. The performance of horses racing with epiglottic entrapment was recorded and post-surgery race performance was described. Further, post-surgery race performance was compared between cases and with non-case controls. Twenty horses raced with epiglottic entrapment were retrospectively enrolled. There was a significant difference in racing performance in case horses racing with and without epiglottic entrapment (P 
    MeSH terms: Animals; Female; Horse Diseases/physiopathology*; Horse Diseases/surgery*; Horses/physiology*; Horses/surgery; Laryngeal Diseases/physiopathology; Laryngeal Diseases/surgery; Laryngeal Diseases/veterinary*; Male; Physical Conditioning, Animal/physiology*; Retrospective Studies; Running; Singapore; Sports*; Case-Control Studies
  8. Loo GH, Wan Mat WR, Muhammad R, Azman M
    BMJ Case Rep, 2019 Aug 04;12(8).
    PMID: 31383679 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2019-229763
    Acute airway obstruction in pregnancy remains a challenge to manage. Failure of appropriate and timely airway management may lead to maternal morbidity and mortality such as aspiration pneumonitis or worst hypoxaemic cardiopulmonary arrest. 1 As pregnancy may exacerbate asthma attacks, parturient presenting with wheezing or shortness of breath will commonly be treated as suffering from an asthmatic attack. 2 However, it is important to note other possible differential diagnoses. Thyroid disease is relatively common in women of childbearing age. The thyroid gland undergoes several changes during pregnancy, which may lead to altered function as well as gland enlargement and cause upper airway obstruction and symptoms similar to a bronchial asthma attack. 3 4 With that in mind, we report a case of a parturient with long-standing goitre in her second trimester who presented to our institution with acute respiratory symptoms and cardiopulmonary arrest.
    MeSH terms: Airway Obstruction/diagnosis*; Airway Obstruction/etiology; Asthma/diagnosis*; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Goiter, Substernal/complications; Goiter, Substernal/diagnosis*; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications/diagnosis*; Pregnancy Complications/etiology
  9. Tee TY, Khoo CS, Raymond AA, Syazarina SO
    Neurology, 2019 08 06;93(6):e626-e627.
    PMID: 31383811 DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007905
    MeSH terms: Adult; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neuroimaging
  10. Phwan CK, Chew KW, Sebayang AH, Ong HC, Ling TC, Malek MA, et al.
    Biotechnol Biofuels, 2019;12:191.
    PMID: 31384298 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-019-1533-5
    Background: Microalgae are one of the promising feedstock that consists of high carbohydrate content which can be converted into bioethanol. Pre-treatment is one of the critical steps required to release fermentable sugars to be used in the microbial fermentation process. In this study, the reducing sugar concentration of Chlorella species was investigated by pre-treating the biomass with dilute sulfuric acid and acetic acid at different concentrations 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 9% (v/v).

    Results: 3,5-Dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) method, FTIR, and GC-FID were employed to evaluate the reducing sugar concentration, functional groups of alcohol bonds and concentration of bioethanol, respectively. The two-way ANOVA results (p 

  11. Mohamad S, Hamid SSA, Azlina A, Md Shukri N
    Asia Pac Allergy, 2019 Jul;9(3):e22.
    PMID: 31384577 DOI: 10.5415/apallergy.2019.9.e22
    Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most common and complex chronic inflammatory disease of sinonasal mucosa. Even though the pathogenesis of CRS is multifactorial and still unclear, the role of cytokines especially interleukin-1 (IL-1) is being investigated worldwide in different population because of varying results obtained.

    Objective: To study the association of IL-1 (A and B) gene polymorphisms with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyp (CRSsNP), and other factors related.

    Methods: This is a case-controlled study which include a total of 138 subjects recruited from Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery clinic in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Genotyping of the IL-1A (+4845G, +4845T) and IL-1B (-511C, -511T) were performed with restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

    Results: There was a statistical significant association between IL-1B (-511C, -511T) polymorphism with CRSwNP and CRSsNP (p < 0.001). The CT genotype of IL-1B was markedly increased in CRSwNP subjects (52.2%). However, there was no significant association found between IL-1A (+4845G, +4845T) with CRSwNP and CRSsNP (p = 0.093). No association was found in factors related to CRS, which included asthma, atopy, allergy, aspirin sensitivity, and family history of nasal polyp (p value of 0.382, 0.382, 0.144, >0.95, and 0.254, respectively).

    Conclusion: This study indicates an association of IL-1B (-511C, -511T) polymorphism with CRSwNP and CRSsNP in our population, hence there is a possibility of IL-1B involvement in modulating pathogenesis of CRS. There was no significant association of IL-1A (+4845G, +4845T) polymorphism with CRSwNP and CRSsNP, and other factors related.

    MeSH terms: Aspirin; Asthma; Genotype; Hypersensitivity; Interleukin-1; Malaysia; Mucous Membrane; Nasal Polyps; Otolaryngology; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Sinusitis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Case-Control Studies; Interleukin-1alpha
  12. Lojanapiwat B, Lee JY, Gang Z, Kim CS, Fai NC, Hakim L, et al.
    Prostate Int, 2019 Jun;7(2):60-67.
    PMID: 31384607 DOI: 10.1016/j.prnil.2018.06.001
    The Asian Prostate Cancer (A-CaP) study is an Asia-wide initiative that was launched in December 2015 in Tokyo, Japan, with the objective of surveying information about patients who have received a histopathological diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) and are undergoing treatment and clarifying distribution of staging, the actual status of treatment choices, and treatment outcomes. The study aims to clarify the clinical situation for PCa in Asia and use the outcomes for the purposes of international comparison. Following the first meeting in Tokyo in December 2015, the second A-CaP meeting was held in Seoul, Korea, in September 2016. This, the third A-CaP meeting, was held on October 14, 2017, in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with the participation of members and collaborators from 12 countries and regions. In the meeting, participating countries and regions presented the current status of data collection, and the A-CaP office presented a preliminary analysis of the registered cases received from each country and region. Participants discussed ongoing challenges relating to data input and collection, institutional, and legislative issues that may present barriers to data sharing, and the outlook for further patient registrations through to the end of the registration period in December 2018. In addition to A-CaP-specific discussions, a series of special lectures were also delivered on the situation for health insurance in the United States, the correlation between insurance coverage and PCa outcomes, and the outlook for robotic surgery in the Asia-Pacific region. Members also confirmed the principles of authorship in collaborative studies, with a view to publishing original articles based on A-CaP data in the future.
    MeSH terms: Authorship; Humans; Insurance, Health; Japan; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms; Publishing; Thailand; Tokyo; United States; Treatment Outcome; Insurance Coverage; Information Dissemination; Republic of Korea; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Seoul
  13. Mohd Yusop AY, Xiao L, Fu S
    Data Brief, 2019 Aug;25:104234.
    PMID: 31384643 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104234
    This paper presents the data on the optimisation and validation of a liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) to establish the presence of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and their analogues as adulterants in instant coffee premixes. The method development data covered chromatographic optimisation for better analyte separation and isomeric resolution, mass spectrometry optimisation for high sensitivity and sample preparation optimisation for high extraction recovery (RE) and low matrix effect (ME). The validation data covered specificity, linearity, range, accuracy, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precisions, ME, and RE. The optimisation and validation data presented here is related to the article: "Determination of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors in instant coffee premixes using liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS)" Mohd Yusop et al., 2019.
    MeSH terms: Chromatography, Liquid; Coffee; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; Limit of Detection; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
  14. Gan HM, Eng WWH, Dhanoa A
    Data Brief, 2019 Aug;25:104257.
    PMID: 31384648 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.104257
    We report the whole genome sequencing data and de novo genome assemblies for eight extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates from Malaysia consisting of four Klebsiella pneumoniae, two Enterobacter harmaechei, one Citrobacter freundii and one Escherichia coli. We identified at least one ESBL gene in each genome, with blaCTX-M-15 being the most prevalent ESBL gene in the current genomic sampling.
    MeSH terms: beta-Lactamases; Enterobacter; Enterobacteriaceae; Escherichia coli; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Malaysia; Prevalence; Citrobacter freundii; Genomics
  15. Rezk MG, Foroozesh J
    Heliyon, 2019 Jul;5(7):e02057.
    PMID: 31384679 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02057
    This paper investigates the phase behavior and mutual interactions between a light crude oil and CO2 at high pressures and high temperatures (HPHT). To do so, we have measured PVT properties of the CO2-oil system at HPHT using a PVT setup. We have also tried to present a detailed methodology for measuring PVT properties of CO2-oil systems and highlight the difficulties such as oil vaporization by CO2 during the experiments. A crude oil sample, collected from a Malaysian oil field, was used here. Our experiments indicated that, CO2 solubility in the oil increased at higher pressures when measured at a fixed temperature. Our experiments also showed that increasing the test temperature would reduce CO2 solubility in the oil, while its effect is more significant at higher pressures. The swelling factor (SF) measurements showed an increasing trend with pressure up to a certain value so-called extraction pressure, at which, the SF started to be reduced even became less than one. The measurements of oil viscosity indicated that CO2 dissolution in the oil sample could reduce the mixture viscosity up to 61%. The interfacial tensions between CO2 and the crude oil at different pressures were also measured while the results were used to estimate the minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) and the first contact miscibility (FCM) pressure. The IFT measurements at various pressures displayed a reduction trend as a result of more CO2 dissolution in the oil but with two different slopes. That is, at lower pressure values, the measured IFTs were sharply reduced with pressure, while the reduction rate of the IFT became less when pressures exceeded the extraction pressure. This study helps with determining the optimum pressure and temperature conditions of CO2-oil systems to have a minimum IFT, a maximum CO2 solubility and SF, and a minimum oil viscosity that are favorable for CO2-enhanced oil recovery projects. Additionally, the methodology presented here gives guidelines on how to design PVT experiments of CO2-oil systems for petroleum and chemical engineering applications.
    MeSH terms: Carbon Dioxide; Chemical Engineering; Hot Temperature; Petroleum; Pressure; Research Design; Rotation; Solubility; Surface Tension; Temperature; Viscosity; Volatilization; Oil and Gas Fields
  16. Daramola J, M Ekhwan T, Adepehin EJ, Mokhtar J, Lam KC, Er AC
    Heliyon, 2019 Jul;5(7):e02121.
    PMID: 31384682 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02121
    Water constitutes a major environmental and public health concerns worldwide. A large proportion of global water consumption is sourced from surface water. The dependency level on surface water is higher in developing countries, especially in rural-to-semi-urban areas, where subsurface water is not accessible. Presented in this paper is a spatiotemporal and hydrochemical quality assessment of the spring-originated Landzun Stream in Bida, Nigeria; which is usually consumed in its untreated state. Water samples were systematically collected in eighteen locations along the stream channel in both rainy and dry seasons at an equidistance interval of 500m. On-site and laboratory measurement of important physical and hydrochemical parameters were carried out using standard procedures. Water temperature in the rainy season (34-37 °C) slightly exceeds measured values in the dry season (29-33 °C). 72.22% (rainy) and 83.33% (dry) of collected samples did not meet the odourless requirement for drinking water. Similarly, estimated percentages of 66.67 and 94.44 of collected samples in rainy and dry seasons respectively have a taste. Contrary to data in the rainy season, 89%, 11%, 67% and 56% of the dry season's samples were enriched in magnesium (Mg), lead (Pb), potassium (K) and iron (Fe) respectively above the 2018 World Health Organisation guidelines for drinking water. This study further established that seasonal variation plays a major role in altering the aesthetic surface water quality. The intake of untreated surface water is a vehicle for potential water-borne diseases and allergies, hence alternative sources of drinking water for the populace dependent on the Landzun Stream is recommended to reduce risks and possible dangers of consuming the stream water.
    MeSH terms: Waterborne Diseases; Climate; Developing Countries; Drinking; Esthetics; Hypersensitivity; Iron; Lead; Magnesium; Nigeria; Potassium; Public Health; Rain; Seasons; Taste; Temperature; World Health Organization; Rivers; Water Quality; Drinking Water
  17. Saleem Z, Hassali MA, Hashmi FK, Godman B, Ahmed Z
    Heliyon, 2019 Jul;5(7):e02159.
    PMID: 31384689 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02159
    Objective: We are unaware of the extent of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) among hospitals in Pakistan, which is a concern given the population size, high use of antibiotics across sectors and increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates. Consequently, we sought to address this by undertaking a comprehensive survey.

    Method: In this cross-sectional observational study in Punjab, an instrument of the measure was developed based on health care facility characteristics and ASPs after an extensive literature review. The questionnaire was circulated by mail or through drop off surveys to medical superintendents or directors/heads of pharmacy departments of hospitals.

    Results: Out of 254, a total of 137 hospitals fully completed the questionnaire - 11 primary, 65 secondary, 46 tertiary and 15 specialized hospitals. The use of antimicrobial prescribing guidelines (68.7%), provision of infectious diseases consultation services (66.4%), clinical pharmacy service (65.7%), use of drug and therapeutics committees to approve antimicrobial prescribing (65.5%), regular audit by doctors on antimicrobial prescribing (54.1%) and use of a restricted formulary for antimicrobial (50.4%) were the most common ASPs. However, most of these activities were only somewhat or moderately successful. Whereas, electronic antimicrobial prescribing approval systems (15.3%), using a sticker to notify prescribers regarding the need to obtain approval for the antimicrobial prescribed (16.1%) and participation in the national antimicrobial utilization surveillance program (19.7%) were only seen in a few hospitals.

    Conclusion: Study inferred that there are inadequate ASPs in the hospitals of Pakistan. A multidisciplinary approach, clinical leadership and availability of motivated and trained individuals are essential elements for the success of future ASPs.

    MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hospitals; Humans; Leadership; Pakistan; Pharmacies; Pharmacy; Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee; Pharmacy Service, Hospital; Population Density; Postal Service; Surveys and Questionnaires; Referral and Consultation; Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  18. Supramani S, Ahmad R, Ilham Z, Annuar MSM, Klaus A, Wan-Mohtar WAAQI
    AIMS Microbiol, 2019;5(1):19-38.
    PMID: 31384700 DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2019.1.19
    Wild-cultivated medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum was morphologically identified and sequenced using phylogenetic software. In submerged-liquid fermentation (SLF), biomass, exopolysaccharide (EPS) and intracellular polysaccharide (IPS) production of the identified G.lucidum was optimised based on initial pH, starting glucose concentration and agitation rate parameters using response surface methodology (RSM). Molecularly, the G. lucidum strain QRS 5120 generated 637 base pairs, which was commensurate with related Ganoderma species. In RSM, by applying central composite design (CCD), a polynomial model was fitted to the experimental data and was found to be significant in all parameters investigated. The strongest effect (p < 0.0001) was observed for initial pH for biomass, EPS and IPS production, while agitation showed a significant value (p < 0.005) for biomass. By applying the optimized conditions, the model was validated and generated 5.12 g/L of biomass (initial pH 4.01, 32.09 g/L of glucose and 102 rpm), 2.49 g/L EPS (initial pH 4, 24.25 g/L of glucose and 110 rpm) and 1.52 g/L of IPS (and initial pH 4, 40.43 g/L of glucose, 103 rpm) in 500 mL shake flask fermentation. The optimized parameters can be upscaled for efficient biomass, EPS and IPS production using G. lucidum.
    MeSH terms: Agaricales; Base Sequence; Fermentation; Glucose; Phylogeny; Polysaccharides; Software; Models, Statistical; Biomass; Base Pairing; Reishi; Ganoderma
  19. Turner L, Ly LP, Desai R, Singh GKS, Handelsman TD, Savkovic S, et al.
    J Endocr Soc, 2019 Aug 01;3(8):1531-1540.
    PMID: 31384715 DOI: 10.1210/js.2019-00134
    Context: Can injectable testosterone undecanoate (TU) be administered effectively and acceptably by the subcutaneous (SC) route?

    Objective: To investigate the acceptability and pharmacokinetics (PK) of SC injection of TU.

    Design: Randomized sequence, crossover clinical study of SC vs IM TU injections.

    Setting: Ambulatory clinic of an academic andrology center.

    Participants: Twenty men (11 hypogonadal, 9 transgender men) who were long-term users of TU. injections. Intervention: Injection of 1000 mg TU (in 4 mL castor oil vehicle) by SC or IM route. Main Outcome Measures: Patient-reported pain, acceptability, and preference scales. PK by measurement of serum testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol (E2) concentrations with application of population PK methods and dried blood spot (DBS) sampling.

    Results: Pain was greater after SC compared with IM injection 24 hours (but not immediately) after injection but both routes were equally acceptable. Ultimately 11 preferred IM, 6 preferred SC, and 3 had no preference. The DBS-based PK analysis of serum testosterone revealed a later time of peak testosterone concentration after SC vs IM injection (8.0 vs 3.3 days) but no significant route differences in model-predicted peak testosterone concentration (8.4 vs 9.6 ng/mL) or mean resident time (183 vs 110 days). The PK of venous serum testosterone, DHT, and E2 did not differ according to route of injection.

    Conclusions: We conclude that SC TU injection is acceptable but produces greater pain 24 hours after injection that may contribute to the overall majority preference for the IM injection. The PK of testosterone, DHT, or E2 did not differ substantially between SC and IM routes. Hence whereas further studies are required, the SC route represents an alternative to IM injections without a need to change dose for men for whom IM injection is not desired or recommended.

    MeSH terms: Castor Oil; Estradiol; Humans; Injections, Intramuscular; Injections, Subcutaneous; Male; Pain; Dihydrotestosterone; Testosterone; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Andrology; Transgender Persons
  20. Chong Seong NT, Yaakub A, Jalil RA, Tirmandas Vn K, A/P Sandragasu T, Noor JBM, et al.
    Ther Adv Ophthalmol, 2019 07 29;11:2515841419864855.
    PMID: 31384724 DOI: 10.1177/2515841419864855
    Objective: To determine the association between physical activity and severity of primary angle closure glaucoma in Malay patients.

    Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 150 primary angle closure glaucoma patients between April 2014 and August 2016. Using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the physical activity status was assessed and divided into three categories: mild, moderate and heavy physical activity. The duration of physical activity and corresponding minimum energy requirements were calculated. Ocular examination was performed including Humphrey visual field 24-2 analysis assessment. Based on two consecutive reliable Humphrey visual fields, the severity of glaucoma was scored according to modified Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study and classified as mild (0-5), moderate (6-11) and severe (12-20). Association between physical activity and Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study score was determined with multiple linear regression analysis.

    Results: A total of 150 Malay patients with primary angle closure glaucoma were included (50 patients with mild, 50 with moderate and 50 with severe glaucoma). Physical activity showed inverse association with the severity of primary angle closure glaucoma. After calculating adjustments for age, sex, duration of glaucoma, body mass index, systemic co-morbidities, family history of glaucoma, myopia and educational status [adjusted b -3.41, 95% confidence interval (-5.23, -1.59), p 

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